The Loved One by Evelyn Waugh Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Loved One
Book Review: British satire takes a bite out of Hollywood
Summary: 5 Stars
The disproportionate number of Californians offended by this book is great evidence that Waugh has hit the spot.Book Review: Classic Waugh
Summary: 4 Stars
The Loved One is classic Waugh. Thought provoking, rather irrevent and good for an afternoon's belly laugh. If you enjoyed The Loved One you will also enjoy "SCOOP" and "Black Mischief".
Book Review: Clever, Hilarious, Unique
Summary: 5 Stars
Waugh is far and away the most unique writer of satire in the 20th century. His bizarre twists of plots never cease to impress and amuse. The Loved One is consistently entertaining, satirical, and comical. Waugh's superb command of the English language--his amazing ability to turn a phrase just so--utterly astonishes me. It is fun to watch for the constant poetical quotes Waugh satirically weaves into this tale. The Loved One mocks Hollywood, America, and the English all at once. I can not put into words how unique and clever this book really is; the scenes Waugh conceives, the wording he employs, the characters he creates, even the names he chooses, all work to create an entirely "different" reading experience.Book Review: Dark
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a satiric and a dark humored novel; it's very well written, but I found it hard to laugh at the characters, sensing more to their misery then I did of the humor of industrialized and specialized funerals for the well-to-do or the artist. I can only say that you should read it.Book Review: Dead Funny
Summary: 4 Stars
Waugh is wickedly merciless in this attack, his use of humor morbid and obsene, his wit piercing, as always he leaves no room for empathy or sympathy as he cruely dissects his victims. His targets are common themes in many of his works, the British upper class, the Catholic Church, a lack of post war standards, human vanity ,love and the biggest of all, any symbol of the establishment (in this case societies method for the disposal of the dead).
This short book skewers all of the above, set against the Los Angeles British film community in the thirties. Our central character (not hero) is Dennis Barlow, british expatriate, failed poet and employee of the Happier Hunting Ground Pet Cemetry. After the suicide of his mentor Sir Francis, Dennis has the task of arranging the funeral at the hallowed Whispering Glades Funeral Home where he falls in love with cosmetician Aimee.
There are cultural problems, class of funeral establishment issues and a rival suitor in the shape of embalmer Mr Joybody. Waugh as you would expect extracts the maximum humor from every situation, allows no sentiment to creep into the novel or even endearing qualities in his characters. As with much of his work the love story ends in tragedy, no one much cares and life moves on.
I love satire and this is so good, not the authors best but much better than many if not all his imitators work.